Tag: Kliff Kingsbury

Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was busy at the pro days of Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye

Kingsbury spent plenty of time talking with the coaches of Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye last week.

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s no secret that Washington is likely targeting a quarterback with the pick.

So, it’s no surprise the Commanders have sent a heavy presence to the pro days of each of the draft’s top quarterback prospects.

Last week, it was Jayden Daniels (LSU) on Wednesday and Drake Maye (North Carolina) on Thursday. Several pictures and videos have been making the rounds of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn interacting with Daniels and Maye.

Peters and Quinn weren’t the only two from Washington attending these pro days. Assistant general manager Lance Newmark and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury were also present.

This is not a surprise, as Kingsbury is expected to have a significant say in who the Commanders pick in the draft. Ultimately, though, Peters will make the call.

Meanwhile, Kingsbury was doing his homework on Daniels and Maye last week, spending plenty of time with their respective college coaches.

Here, Kingsbury is with Daniels’ QB coach.

When Kingsbury was at North Carolina’s pro day, he spent a lot of time with UNC offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

Here’s another instance where Kingsbury is seen talking with Lindsey. This time, Peters joins in the conversation.

Kingsbury spent time talking with coaches when he was at USC’s pro day two weeks ago to see Caleb Williams. Kingsbury spent 2023 as an analyst at USC.

Kingsbury will not make the final decision, but his input into each quarterback will carry a lot of weight as he’ll work closely with the young passer once he arrives.

 

Former NFL QB thinks Drake Maye to the Commanders is the best fit

David Carr sees big things for Drake Maye.

It was a big week for two of the 2024 NFL draft’s top quarterback prospects. Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) held their pro days on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

By all accounts, things couldn’t have gone better for Daniels and Maye. Of course, it’s tough to say a pro day can improve or drop a quarterback’s stock. Much of a quarterback’s evaluation is the college tape. Everything else is mostly about the interview process that each team spends with the prospects.

The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots hold the No. 2 and No. 3 selections in next month’s draft. Both teams need a quarterback. Throughout the pre-draft process, Maye and Daniels have been linked to the Commanders and Patriots. Most often, Daniels has been projected to Washington at No. 2.

After Maye’s pro day performance, former NFL quarterback David Carr of the NFL Network was asked which quarterback was a better fit for the Commanders.

He chose Maye.

“That actually makes the most sense to me,” Carr said when told that NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has the North Carolina quarterback going to Washington in his latest mock draft.

“If Caleb Williams does go to Chicago, this is the natural pick. Drake Maye just fits right in. With his ability to move, with Kliff Kingsbury and the offense they’re going to run.”

Carr then breaks down some of Maye’s throws while explaining why he fits Washington.

“That offense is going to be spread out,” he said. “You’re going to get extra pressure. Can you make a play? Can you push the ball down the field? Can you identify that its zero coverage and a one-on-one opportunity? And push the ball down the field with sustained accuracy. Can you do it on the run? Can you escape?”

Carr is showing examples of Maye doing all of these things, including throwing a left-handed pass for a touchdown while under pressure. The 2002 No. 1 overall pick says Maye has it all and is the perfect prospect to mold.

There are some who believe Maye has the highest upside of each of the quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams. While there are some things Maye must continue to work on, such as his mechanics and footwork, they are correctable.

As Washington GM Adam Peters said earlier in the week, the Commanders are under no pressure to start a rookie immediately since they signed veteran Marcus Mariota.

LOOK: Dan Quinn, Adam Peters look pleased with Drake Maye

Quinn and Peters were all smiles watching Drake Maye on Thursday.

Who will the Washington Commanders select with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft? Unfortunately, we still have one month remaining until we learn that answer.

We do know — or strongly believe — that the Commanders will select a quarterback. It will not be Caleb Williams, who is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

That leaves Washington to decide between Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), or J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). Every day, we seem to hear of a rumor linking the Commanders to one of the three. However, they are just that: rumors.

Only Washington general manager Adam Peters and his inner circle, including head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, have an idea of which passer the Commanders like the best.

Last week, the Commanders were at McCarthy’s pro day. On Wednesday, they were in Baton Rouge to see Daniels at LSU’s pro day. On Thursday, Peters, Quinn, Kingsbury and assistant GM Lance Newmark were in Chapel Hill to see Maye.

From all indications, it looks like Quinn and Peters liked what they saw.

Quinn is all smiles.

Peters was all smiles, too.

What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing. But as we head toward the draft and look for the little things, it’s clear Washington brass liked what it saw from the ultra-talented Maye.

LOOK: Images from LSU QB Jayden Daniels’ pro day

Sights and sounds from Jayden Daniels’ pro day.

On Wednesday, the NFL world convened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for LSU’s pro day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Tigers should have three first-round picks in next month’s draft, all on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Jayden Daniels could go as high as No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders, while wide receiver Malik Nabers could go as high as No. 4.

Fellow wide receiver Brian Thomas should land somewhere among the top 20.

Of course, the focus was primarily on Daniels, who worked out for NFL scouts and coaches. All of the teams in search of a quarterback were in attendance, including the Commanders’ brass.

Washington’s general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury represented the team. After Daniels’ workout, Washington was one of the teams scheduled to meet with the Heisman Trophy winner.

Kingsbury was spending time with Daniels’ QB coach at pro day.

Meanwhile, Peters, like he did at Caleb Williams’ pro day at USC, stepped up to “dap” Daniels.

Did Quinn and Peters find their quarterback?

Daniels was fired up for Nabers’ 40-yard dash.

Six head coaches and six GMs were in attendance.

Commanders GM Adam Peters talks how difficult it is to evaluate and develop a quarterback

Adam Peters discusses Washington’s plan to develop a young quarterback.

There is no tougher position in sports than playing quarterback in the NFL. That’s not meant to disrespect other athletes, but the failure rate of quarterbacks is much higher than the success rate.

It’s a difficult job, so some teams remain stuck in mediocrity—or purgatory. The Washington Commanders remain in QB purgatory but once again have hope. Washington has a new GM in Adam Peters and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Commanders can choose between Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. Of course, Williams will likely go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, meaning it’s expected to be Daniels or Maye for Washington.

Unless it’s Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, we’re kidding — we think.

Choosing a quarterback is hard, and developing one is even more difficult. At the NFL’s Annual League Meetings on Monday, Peters discussed how difficult the process is for evaluating and developing a quarterback.

“It’s the hardest thing to do in sports, I think, is evaluate and develop a quarterback,” Peters said. “But what you want to do is make sure you do as much as you can to let them develop. So, we’ve built, DQ (Dan Quinn) did an incredible job in terms of building a great ecoystem for quarterbacks in our building. You have (OC) Kliff (Kingsbury), then you have (assistant head coach/pass game coordinator) Brian Johnson, then you have (QB coach) Tavita (Pritchard), and we have (assistant QB coach) David Blough, too. So, there’s four people right there that will be able to focus on the quarterback room. So, there’s four people right there. Four quarterbacks, right? One-to-one teacher-student ratio, that’s pretty good. But, I think that’s intentional the way we did that. You give yourself the best chance to develop whoever’s in that room as fast as you can.”

Peters doesn’t often say a lot, but he provided some good information here. We’ve noted how the Commanders built a very QB-friendly staff with four offensive assistants who all started at quarterback in a Power 5 conference. Kingsbury and Blough also played in the NFL, while Kingsbury has been a college and NFL head coach, and Johnson was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator last season.

Washington hasn’t always done things right, and there’s no guarantee the Commanders will get it right this time, but, for once, you can feel good about their process. There’s an actual plan in place to develop a young quarterback, and that alone should offer fans hope.

Magic Johnson loves what the Commanders have done so far in hiring Dan Quinn

Magic Johnson is a big believer in new head coach Dan Quinn.

When Magic Johnson was revealed as a minority partner in Josh Harris’ bid to own the Washington Commanders last year, he made it clear this wasn’t a vanity thing for him. Johnson, who has plenty of experience in sports ownership, was here to win.

Johnson often tweets about his favorite teams, specifically his beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Last season, he added the Commanders to that list. While his tweets were often positive, Johnson appeared to express some frustration after some early-season losses.

Since January, Harris, Johnson and other members of Washington’s ownership group have made massive changes. Those changes began by firing Ron Rivera and hiring the top GM candidate available, Adam Peters.

While many believed the Commanders would hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach, they eventually hired Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn’s hiring was praised across the NFL, as most believed he deserved a second shot at being a head coach after over five seasons as the Falcons’ head coach from 2015-20.

Since his arrival, Quinn has hired a terrific coaching staff. Washington was then active in free agency, signing several players to improve a 4-13 roster.

So far, Johnson likes what he has seen.

“We’re excited because Coach Quinn has been a head coach in the league before,” Johnson said in an interview with WUSA9 in Washington. “He took the Falcons to the Super Bowl. He’s done an amazing job with the Cowboys.”

Quinn spent the past three seasons in Dallas, where he led the Cowboys to top-five finishes in total defensive DVOA each season, per FTN.

“We needed an outstanding leader, and we got one in Coach Quinn,” Johnson said. “And, so, now he’s put together an amazing staff. So it’s up to us to do a good job in free agency and the draft and just build it and take steps. You got two teams in our division that we’re trying to catch, and that’s the Cowboys and the Eagles. And so we got to take steps to do that and build our team the right way.”

Johnson himself was reportedly involved in Quinn and the Commanders’ hiring of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who many believed had agreed to join the Raiders in the same role.

Everything is good for Washington right now. The Commanders have had a strong free-agency period and hold nine picks in next month’s 2024 NFL draft, beginning at No. 2 overall.

LOOK: USC QB Caleb Williams hugs Commanders GM Adam Peters at his pro day

Adam Peters, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury were among those in attendance for the Commanders.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is widely expected to be selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears in next month’s 2024 NFL draft. However, Washington fans hold the slight hope that general manager Adam Peters can convince the Bears to trade places in next month’s draft.

On Wednesday, Williams held his pro day in Los Angeles on the campus of USC, and the entire NFL was represented. Not everyone was there for Williams, as, realistically, only two teams have a chance to select him.

With that being said, the Commanders’ chances remain minimal, too.

The Bears sent a full contingent to Los Angeles, including general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. There were several others, too. Even new Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen was there to greet Williams.

Washington also sent several of its most influential figures, beginning with Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Williams is close with Kingsbury.

Cameras caught Peters and Williams catching up.

It likely means nothing, as the Bears control everything. Still, it’s interesting, nonetheless.

What did Williams whisper in Peters’ ear? Did he ask Peters to bring him home? We’re kidding.

The Commanders also plan to be present at the pro days of Michigan (J.J. McCarthy), North Carolina (Drake Maye) and LSU (Jayden Daniels).

WATCH: New Commanders TE Zach Ertz’s highlights

Zach Ertz comes to Washington with 709 career receptions and 46 touchdowns.

New Commanders tight end Zach Ertz comes to Washington with plenty of experience. A second-round pick in 2013, Ertz enters his 12th NFL season in 2024.

Washington fans know Ertz all too well. Having spent the first 8.5 seasons of his career with the Eagles, Ertz regularly caused matchup problems for the Commanders. Ertz has played 17 career games against Washington and has 93 receptions for 888 yards and three touchdowns. Ertz has three games against Washington in which he has caught 10 or more passes.

For his career, Ertz has 709 receptions for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns. After the Eagles traded him to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, many believed his best days were behind him. But then Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury reignited Ertz’s career. Ertz was so effective under Kingsbury that he earned a two-year extension that offseason.

Now, Kingsbury is Washington’s offensive coordinator and, with a need at tight end, reunited with Ertz.

The Commanders are expected to select a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Ertz will be the perfect safety valve for a young quarterback. During his career, he has helped other young passers, such as Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.

Courtesy of the Commanders’ social media, let’s look at some of Ertz’s career highlights finding the end zone.

 

What did Ron Rivera think of the Sam Howell trade?

Ron Rivera also has an idea on which quarterback the Commanders like at No. 2.

At this time, one year ago, a desperate Ron Rivera staked his future on the right arm of young quarterback Sam Howell. Entering a critical fourth season as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Rivera had struck out on previous quarterbacks and decided to roll the dice with his 2022 fifth-round pick.

With limited funds due to a pending ownership change, Rivera was unable to improve the Commanders around Howell last offseason. Instead, he hoped new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could spark Washington’s offense.

It didn’t work. The Commanders finished 4-13, and Bieniemy led an offense with the most passing attempts in the NFL — and the fewest rushing attempts — as they lost their final eight games.

Howell did some good things for Washington, at times making Rivera look like his gamble would pay off. Unfortunately, Howell struggled badly in the second half of the season. He was benched twice and finished with as many interceptions (21) as touchdowns (21).

The Commanders moved on from Rivera and hired Adam Peters as the general manager. Peters hired Dan Quinn to replace Rivera.

Last week, Washington moved on from Howell, sending him to the Seattle Seahawks in a pick swap that netted the Commanders Seattle’s third-round pick.

Rivera is now a member of ESPN, making his debut earlier this month. Last week, he was a guest on “You Better You Bet” on BetQL, discussing the Commanders moving on from Howell. 

“Well, I think it was a smart move for both teams,” Rivera said. “Just because of the way the draft picks were traded. It gives the Commanders, I believe, six in the first two days, which is outstanding. And then you look at what Seattle gets; Seattle gets probably, who is gonna be a solid backup that has the ability to be a starter in this league. And I really like what they’ve done. Now you know, with Geno as their starter, gives them a guy, in case something happens, can come in and, I think, do a nice job running their offense for them.”

Remember what Rivera said about Howell last offseason and in the early weeks of the 2023 season? That sure sounds like a different tone. He still praised Howell but made sure to use the term “backup.”

Who does Rivera think Peters and the Commanders will select at No. 2 overall in next month’s NFL draft?

In his first episode on “NFL Live” earlier this month, Rivera linked LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to the Commanders. Rivera referenced new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and the style of offense he wants to run as a reason he believes Daniels will be Washington’s pick.

He reiterated that stance in this interview.

“Oh, I think they go with Jayden Daniels,” Rivera said of Washington. “This is about who’s going to fit that style of offense that Kliff Kingsbury is bringing to town. That’s why they went out and signed Marcus Mariota, and I think that’s what you’re going to get. I really do. I think that’s the kind of player they’re looking for, and I think he’s dynamic enough.”

Washington fans will likely roll their eyes at Rivera’s thoughts. In fairness, he was asked the question. The Daniels’ connections to Washington make sense, as do the Drake Maye ties. When everyone mentions mobility, they apparently forget that Maye is pretty mobile, too, and offers a higher upside as a passer.

Does Marcus Mariota signing suggest Commanders will take Jayden Daniels?

Does the expected signing of Mariota give us a clue about the Commanders’ plan at No. 2?

The Washington Commanders added a veteran quarterback on Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Marcus Mariota.

No big deal, right?

Mariota joins a roster that features 2023 starter Sam Howell (entering his third season) and Jake Fromm. Washington is widely expected to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and Mariota’s signing could give us an indication of which way the Commanders are leaning.

Mariota, like LSU quarterback Daniels, is a former Heisman Trophy winner. Mariota won the award in 2014 for his ability as a dual-threat passer for Oregon. Daniels won it in 2023, passing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, only four interceptions and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Does this tell us that GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury already have a preference?

Daniels is a far more advanced passer than Mariota was at any time. However, Kingsbury made it clear how important mobility is for the quarterback position.

Signing Mariota doesn’t necessarily mean Washington wants Daniels over Drake Maye. And here’s another thing that’s often lost: Drake Maye is exceptionally athletic, too.

On Monday, it was revealed the Commanders were checking in on Sam Darnold as a potential veteran option. Darnold is not known for his mobility. He eventually signed with the Vikings for a chance to start.

While on the surface, it would appear that Mariota’s signing would mean Washington is leaning toward Daniels, that’s far from a certainty. Several NFL teams don’t need the backup quarterback’s skills to mirror the starting quarterback. The Commanders aren’t running an option offense. Daniels and Maye are both passers first who can run.

So while it’s easy to draw in the blanks and think Mariota automatically means Daniels is coming to Washington, slow down. There’s a long way to go until the first round of next month’s 2024 NFL draft.

The more immediate thought is, what does this mean for Howell?